Of Gods & Valkyries: Book Three

Oh, Sweet Capital

"Let me fall if I must fall. The one I am becoming will catch me."

- Baal Shem Tov

– K A D E N –

John turned a rabbit slowly over the fire whilst the Lady watched in growing disgust. It only made him season it deliberately in response with a wolfish grin.

Nightfall crept upon us in the forest. But it was a safer bet in the trees than out in the open. With less than a span to Vayleron we were making good time. Gods knew what had become of our Tayah and the Demi-god. Hells burn those elemental god fuckers.

"Aye lad! Take a break from that and have a drink!" I called to Yanu, who sat with great focus on his saddle on a felled tree. He had been practicing keeping those heels down like I told him, as if his little life depended.

John spun from the fire. "I'll have a swig man!"

I leered back with a slow smile at Lady Kavendish. "Should the Lady not sip first upon my flask?"

If she had looked disgusted before, she was mortified now. But John was quickly upon the flask and the game. He spun on a heel and dropped to a knee before her with the flask in his hands in offering.

"Oh, but she must–"

She slapped it from his hands and continued another across his face. John fell back on his heels and howled.

"So it does fight, lads!" He mocked.

"I was not always a Lady. That does not mean I need to resort to your violence. But it seems to be your language you oafish buffoon."

John sobered a touch and waggled a finger at her from his spot on his ass. "Now only Tayah, gets to call me a buffoon–and you... You are no Ashrive."

I snorted in approval, scooping up the discarded flask and taking a deep swig. "Here, here." I rumbled.

She eyed us both a moment before crossing her arms beside the fire. "What? Because I can't kill as she does? I am not of the same worth?" She uttered distastefully.

"–or fuck like Tayah does." I blurted. "Gamble. Mock death. Sail the seas and fight assassins and pirates for good measure. No not quite." I finished with a burp.

The Lady blushed. John cackled again. I turned smug watching her simmer. Yanu even got off his saddle and made to tuck himself under my leg. It was a good thing the lad didn't understand in this moment.

"Anyone could rise to the moment!" She shouted angrily into the fire, making John pause. He gave me a knowing look before reaching behind him for his newly acquired crossbow.

"Tell you what my Lady... If you can hit just that tree over there–" he pointed out a spruce not 15 steps away, "–I shall call off my rude remarks and all my charm with it." He winked.

She gathered the dirt worn edges of her dress and got to her feet with a stern look.

"And him!" She pointed a slim finger at me.

I smiled broadly and stepped up to my own feet. "Let us make it interesting!" I declared, slipping John's shield off the ground. Something I never personally bothered with. I rolled my shoulders and Yanu gawked at me, I threw the lad a wink.

"You hit this shield. And I shut my trap and give you your own room when we get to our dockside abode."

"You mean I was not already getting a room?!" She almost shouted, exasperated.